Player Name: Rich Harden
Set From: 2002 Bowman, Bowman Chrome, Topps, Topps Chrome, Topps Total
Why are these cards a must have?: Rich is one of those pitchers who is a little over rated. Yep, I said it, I think he is over rated and I think Billy Beane pulled off a mighty nice heist for him. Sure he was 33-10 in the minors, and that he is one of the hardest throwing pitchers in the NL, but look at his stats <link>, he’s not a healthy guy, and he can’t go too much over 150 innings without serious arm issues. Now he is on this list for a reason, last year he had a breakout season, going 10-2/2.07/1.06 with 181 strikeouts in 147 innings. This year, it looks like more of the same, as he is now 4-1/4.54/1.35 through his first 7 starts. This year might be the first time he makes the All Star squad, if he keeps up the good work he has been doing. I think in the end he is going to be a 125 game winner with around 2000 strikeouts. It’s because of those numbers that he is on here, that and his potential, he is after all only 27 years old.
On a scale of 1 – 10, how must have are these cards: 2, although he has some strikes against him, he is still supposed to be on this list. in the end he might end up as a 4. In the book they run anywhere from $2 – $10, on eBay they seem to be running anywhere from $1 – $3, of course you can expect to pay more depending on grade and population.
Got any Rich Harden stories? Leave us a comment on how you feel about Rich and what you think his rating should be not only now, but at the end of his career.
Rich Harden has to be the first player I ever prospected and collected. His 2003 season which he went from AA (13 perfect innings) to AAA within a few weeks to in the majors around August. That was the hook, line, and sinker for me. I even bought his A’s jersey and wear to minor league parks. He still one of my favorite players but I don’t have the heart to cheer for him in a Cubs uniform. Cubs aren’t one of my favorite teams.